r00fie1
Well-known member
It's that time again>>>>>>
Saturday 16th March 2024. EFL Championship. Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers. Riverside Stadium [TS4 2AP]. KO. 15:00 hrs.
Saturday 16th March 2024. EFL Championship. Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers. Riverside Stadium [TS4 2AP]. KO. 15:00 hrs.
"Please! Please come support [the boys] and be loud and boost that energy and help us try and get the result we want!" [Michael Carrick].
It's hard to believe, but the game today [Saturday], could be the "biggest" we play all season. In terms of possibilities, after three excellent wins, with just five points between us and a play-off spot, we could be heading into unchartered territory! We haven't been above ninth in the Championship all season, but from almost accepting the season was over after that run of games before Norwich, we now face a real chance of scrapping for a place in the play-offs! For the first time all season, Carrick has basically had the luxury of choosing the same team, with key players back in the frame. That's not to suggest those who were filling-in the gaps weren't capable, but at times we had square pegs in round holes and asking players to operate in areas they had never played before.
For senior players such as Jonny Howson, Dael Fry, Paddy McNair and Matt Clarke, this isn't something new. But the younger players, and those here on loan, have had to adapt their game very quickly, which isn't any easy thing to do. All credit to them. The departure of "Big Tree" and Morgan Rogers was something the team have dealt with, and we don't appear to have missed them [?].
Let's not forget, we have Tommy Smith and Darragh Leniham in recovery, but we also have Isaiah Jones and Josh Coburn waiting in the wings. Carrick is making sure their recovery is managed properly, and he said in the Media Conference before Birmingham, he wasn't just going to throw players back into the mix if he didn't think they were ready.
Michael Carrick, at his most recent media conference, said the "boys" were feeling "good" after the Birmingham victory, pointing out the last three games were all "tough" and we did well to come out on top in each of them. Against Birmingham, Carrick reflected:
I thought we looked pretty solid all in all. I think all the way through the game really and as it was a real Collective effort [from] the team. [The] boys that started the boys that came off the bench and finished the game, I think everyone played the part. It's always a tough place to go, I've never found it easy going there, as well as QPR. So they're similar games in many ways, and the boys found a way to get through it and get the right result.
[It wasnt pretty, but the travelling red army had plenty to cheer about at the final whistle]
The momentum certainly appears to have sustained itself after that win against Norwich. We could have scored more, but the three which sealed it now appear to have become a statement of intent and a platform, even at this late stage, to mount a serious challenge for the play-off places. Michael Carrick won't be phased and always repeats the same answer to reporters trying to prize open what "really" might be in his thinking:
I think you got to take a balanced View and kind of keep level in some ways you know and keep striving to improve at the moment. We've had a little string of wins and that's something we need to build on.
It's about winning games and being consistent and putting a run together we said that for a long time now and everything's in front of us, it's up to us to play well enough to get the results to see where we can end up.
Blackburn Rovers
[John Eustace has been in Manager at Blackburn since the start of February]
Since we last played them at Ewood Park, they have a new Manager in John Eustace. An experienced Manager, who was getting a good tune out of our last opponents, Birmingham City, before he got the sack. At Blackburn, it's not been easy for him. They have become "draw specialists", with six draws and two defeats in Eustace eight games in charge. Their last defeat was against Swansea [Away] on 2nd March and before that at St Andrews [1-0]. Last time out, they were reduced to ten men and held on for a 1-1 draw against Plymouth at Ewood.
Under John Eustace he has tightened up the defence, which has been a big problem for Rovers all season. They have the second-worst defence in the Championship [conceded 64 in 37 games], after Rotherham [-77]. Just below them are Huddersfield and Plymouth, who have both let 61 league goals into the back of their net!
But Carrick isn't fooled by their lowly position [18th in the table and three points off the third relegation spot]:
I know it's been said a lot like [with] every Club in the championship, actually a pretty good team, and yet the lead table maybe wouldn't suggest that. But experience tells you nothing's easy. I take that with a pinch of Salt. I think they are a good team and, watching out, they haven't had a run that probably they'd like, in terms of wins, but watching their games and the results: every game has been really, really tight, and they're dangerous. The front three especially, whoever plays there they were a real threat so, as I said .....results don't necessarily tell you the whole story, especially in this league. So we won't be taking that for granted at all, and we know that it's um it's going to be a really tough game I seem to say the same things every week.
Championship Top Scorer - Sammie Szmodics
The biggest threat for Boro comes from Sammie Szmodics, a forward who is the Championship's Top Goalscorer. This season, he has played 39 games in all competitions, scored 27 goals and made 3 assists! He signed for them in the summer of 2022, but has really found his scoring boots this season. [This seasons "Chuba Akpom" ??] It's his goals which have kept Rovers from cuddling up with Rotherham at the bottom of the table. In the league, he's netted 21 goals, three more than Adam Armstrong of Southampton [18 goals + 11 assists!] and Morgan Whittaker of Plymouth [18 goals + 7 assists]. He's certainly going to one to stop if we are going to get the three points we need. Not understating Szmodic`s ability and skills, carrick noted:
Obviously, Szmodic is having a terrific season in terms of goals and his finishes, and scores some really good goals with his movement. So of course it's something we need to be aware of. We've got something to build on [and] we need to keep doing the right things and defending well as a team and trying to build on the performance from the last few games.
The key for us is marshalling our defence, and it's fair to say, in the last three games, that none of those who have started in defence have hardly put a foot wrong. Personally, I think Paddy McNair deserves a lot more praise than he sometimes receives, and it's been good watching him put in a good shift.
[Paddy McNair has been a stalwart for Boro since he arrived from Sunderland. He becomes a free agent in the summer]
Play-Offs?
[Yerjokinarnya
]
Since about day one, reporters have asked Michael Carrick the same series of questions about where he wants the team to finish in the league, whether he fears relegation or whether we will end up in the play-offs. Carrick isn't one to speculate and waste his time guessing, at least not in front of the camera's, but he has given away over the season that he is perfectly aware of the table and Boro`s opportunities to climb the ladder [even though he says he doesn't look!]:
We don't think about the other teams too much.......... I think we can only play the games in front of us, but certainly on Tuesday, with us being the only game, there was a chance of making a bit of a jump. It's not something we'll focus on too much..... going into the game, but it definitely plays a part, so it still comes down to us picking up enough points between now and the end of the season. For us to kind of [be] where we want to be, whoever plays whenever they play, that's really not our concern. But it would be nice to go into the [International] break with another good result, and come out of it for the final push. [Towards the play-offs, Michael?].
Are The Fans Going to Turn Up?
Reporters ask some bluddy daft questions, but it gave Michael the opportunity to issue the Clarion call for the faithful to the hallowed shrine which is The Riverside:
Yeah! Hopefully. [we need] all the help we can get, you know: the energy in the stadium the atmosphere in the stadium, [with] all the encouragement and support the boys [they] really feed off it. Please! Please come support [the boys] and be loud and boost that energy and help us try and get the result we want!
Come on Boro!
Just one game at a time [you know].......fingers crossed!
[r00fie1 15/03/2024]
It's hard to believe, but the game today [Saturday], could be the "biggest" we play all season. In terms of possibilities, after three excellent wins, with just five points between us and a play-off spot, we could be heading into unchartered territory! We haven't been above ninth in the Championship all season, but from almost accepting the season was over after that run of games before Norwich, we now face a real chance of scrapping for a place in the play-offs! For the first time all season, Carrick has basically had the luxury of choosing the same team, with key players back in the frame. That's not to suggest those who were filling-in the gaps weren't capable, but at times we had square pegs in round holes and asking players to operate in areas they had never played before.
For senior players such as Jonny Howson, Dael Fry, Paddy McNair and Matt Clarke, this isn't something new. But the younger players, and those here on loan, have had to adapt their game very quickly, which isn't any easy thing to do. All credit to them. The departure of "Big Tree" and Morgan Rogers was something the team have dealt with, and we don't appear to have missed them [?].
Let's not forget, we have Tommy Smith and Darragh Leniham in recovery, but we also have Isaiah Jones and Josh Coburn waiting in the wings. Carrick is making sure their recovery is managed properly, and he said in the Media Conference before Birmingham, he wasn't just going to throw players back into the mix if he didn't think they were ready.
Michael Carrick, at his most recent media conference, said the "boys" were feeling "good" after the Birmingham victory, pointing out the last three games were all "tough" and we did well to come out on top in each of them. Against Birmingham, Carrick reflected:
I thought we looked pretty solid all in all. I think all the way through the game really and as it was a real Collective effort [from] the team. [The] boys that started the boys that came off the bench and finished the game, I think everyone played the part. It's always a tough place to go, I've never found it easy going there, as well as QPR. So they're similar games in many ways, and the boys found a way to get through it and get the right result.
[It wasnt pretty, but the travelling red army had plenty to cheer about at the final whistle]
The momentum certainly appears to have sustained itself after that win against Norwich. We could have scored more, but the three which sealed it now appear to have become a statement of intent and a platform, even at this late stage, to mount a serious challenge for the play-off places. Michael Carrick won't be phased and always repeats the same answer to reporters trying to prize open what "really" might be in his thinking:
I think you got to take a balanced View and kind of keep level in some ways you know and keep striving to improve at the moment. We've had a little string of wins and that's something we need to build on.
It's about winning games and being consistent and putting a run together we said that for a long time now and everything's in front of us, it's up to us to play well enough to get the results to see where we can end up.
Blackburn Rovers
[John Eustace has been in Manager at Blackburn since the start of February]
Since we last played them at Ewood Park, they have a new Manager in John Eustace. An experienced Manager, who was getting a good tune out of our last opponents, Birmingham City, before he got the sack. At Blackburn, it's not been easy for him. They have become "draw specialists", with six draws and two defeats in Eustace eight games in charge. Their last defeat was against Swansea [Away] on 2nd March and before that at St Andrews [1-0]. Last time out, they were reduced to ten men and held on for a 1-1 draw against Plymouth at Ewood.
Under John Eustace he has tightened up the defence, which has been a big problem for Rovers all season. They have the second-worst defence in the Championship [conceded 64 in 37 games], after Rotherham [-77]. Just below them are Huddersfield and Plymouth, who have both let 61 league goals into the back of their net!
But Carrick isn't fooled by their lowly position [18th in the table and three points off the third relegation spot]:
I know it's been said a lot like [with] every Club in the championship, actually a pretty good team, and yet the lead table maybe wouldn't suggest that. But experience tells you nothing's easy. I take that with a pinch of Salt. I think they are a good team and, watching out, they haven't had a run that probably they'd like, in terms of wins, but watching their games and the results: every game has been really, really tight, and they're dangerous. The front three especially, whoever plays there they were a real threat so, as I said .....results don't necessarily tell you the whole story, especially in this league. So we won't be taking that for granted at all, and we know that it's um it's going to be a really tough game I seem to say the same things every week.
Championship Top Scorer - Sammie Szmodics
The biggest threat for Boro comes from Sammie Szmodics, a forward who is the Championship's Top Goalscorer. This season, he has played 39 games in all competitions, scored 27 goals and made 3 assists! He signed for them in the summer of 2022, but has really found his scoring boots this season. [This seasons "Chuba Akpom" ??] It's his goals which have kept Rovers from cuddling up with Rotherham at the bottom of the table. In the league, he's netted 21 goals, three more than Adam Armstrong of Southampton [18 goals + 11 assists!] and Morgan Whittaker of Plymouth [18 goals + 7 assists]. He's certainly going to one to stop if we are going to get the three points we need. Not understating Szmodic`s ability and skills, carrick noted:
Obviously, Szmodic is having a terrific season in terms of goals and his finishes, and scores some really good goals with his movement. So of course it's something we need to be aware of. We've got something to build on [and] we need to keep doing the right things and defending well as a team and trying to build on the performance from the last few games.
The key for us is marshalling our defence, and it's fair to say, in the last three games, that none of those who have started in defence have hardly put a foot wrong. Personally, I think Paddy McNair deserves a lot more praise than he sometimes receives, and it's been good watching him put in a good shift.
[Paddy McNair has been a stalwart for Boro since he arrived from Sunderland. He becomes a free agent in the summer]
Play-Offs?
[Yerjokinarnya
]Since about day one, reporters have asked Michael Carrick the same series of questions about where he wants the team to finish in the league, whether he fears relegation or whether we will end up in the play-offs. Carrick isn't one to speculate and waste his time guessing, at least not in front of the camera's, but he has given away over the season that he is perfectly aware of the table and Boro`s opportunities to climb the ladder [even though he says he doesn't look!]:
We don't think about the other teams too much.......... I think we can only play the games in front of us, but certainly on Tuesday, with us being the only game, there was a chance of making a bit of a jump. It's not something we'll focus on too much..... going into the game, but it definitely plays a part, so it still comes down to us picking up enough points between now and the end of the season. For us to kind of [be] where we want to be, whoever plays whenever they play, that's really not our concern. But it would be nice to go into the [International] break with another good result, and come out of it for the final push. [Towards the play-offs, Michael?].
Are The Fans Going to Turn Up?
Reporters ask some bluddy daft questions, but it gave Michael the opportunity to issue the Clarion call for the faithful to the hallowed shrine which is The Riverside:
Yeah! Hopefully. [we need] all the help we can get, you know: the energy in the stadium the atmosphere in the stadium, [with] all the encouragement and support the boys [they] really feed off it. Please! Please come support [the boys] and be loud and boost that energy and help us try and get the result we want!
Come on Boro!
Just one game at a time [you know].......fingers crossed!
[r00fie1 15/03/2024]
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